Staff
The Fort Frances Chamber of Commerce’s “Great Canadian Chili Cook-off” lived up to its “Hocus Pocus” theme—not only seeing teams get into the spirit of the event but also conjuring up a sizable crowd of chili-lovers.
First-time participants Acklands-Grainger earned the “Best Chili” Award for its “Socket To You” entry.
Acklands-Grainger’s Mike Vanderwater said the chili was a team effort.
Vanderwater, Terry Higgins, Eric Duffy, and Scott Hamilton made the chili the night before at the Little Beaver Cultural Centre, which is owned by Hamilton’s dad, Bob.
In the kitchen there, they took Duffy’s mom’s chili recipe and “took it to town, tweaked it,” noted Vanderwater.
“I think one of the tricks we had is we cooked everything separately before combining everything,” he explained.
“That’s something people pointed out [Thursday].”
Vanderwater, who sits on the Chamber’s board of directors, said he’d helped out with the chili cook-off for a couple of years but never participated.
“Taking part in the board meetings with the event planning, I knew it was a good event for us to get out and do some local initiatives and raise some money,” he remarked.
“It’s a team event to get together and have a good time—we had a lot fun making it [the chili] on Wednesday. . . .
“The second half of it was to go out and do something in the public and get some exposure,” added Vanderwater.
“It think it was a win-win.”
Gillons’ Insurance, meanwhile, garnered the “People’s Choice” Award for its “Bewitching Broker’s Brew.”
“That’s what we were going for—People’s Choice. That was the game plan all along because we want to be liked by the masses,” laughed team captain Tamara Ouellet.
“Three people? I mean, no offence, but really . . .,” she joked, referring to this year’s panel of chili judges, Rob Dokuchie (Fort Frances Fire and Rescue Service), Andy C (93.1 The Border), and Duane Hicks (Fort Frances Times).
“This is our first year using this recipe,” added Ouellet. “It was one of our new employees, Blake Williams, that provided it.
“We thought we’d try it out.”
Gillons’ has been a regular in the cook-off for about the five years, only having missed last year’s event.
“We usually have a lot of fun in-house,” Ouellet said. “We tend to have a mini cook-off in-house.
“We try to put the departments against each other and let the bosses pick the best chili to go on,” she explained.
“Due to timing, we missed it this year but we try to do that.”
This year’s team consisted of main chef Williams, herself, Anna Smith, Bethany Friesen, and Kayle Koval.
Ouellet said she was glad to see Acklands-Grainger win as a first-time participant, and hopes they compete again next year.
A “Best Costume” Award was earned by the Fort Frances Dental Centre, whose team was comprised of Dr. “Magic” Mike Gerstner and his two “voodoo dolls,” Lindy Coyle and Chelsey Simpson.
Meanwhile, last year’s cook-off winners, the Fort Frances Kiwanis Club, brewed up “Spooktacular Chili” last Thursday while the Seven Generations Education Institute had five teams comprised of culinary skills program students.
They included Robyn Bob and Ashley Beardy (“Spawn Chili”); Bryan Mancheese and Steve Jack (“BS Chili”); Joshua Meekis and Robert Bruyere (“Ancho Chili”); Jeff Johnson and Jordan Loyie (“Mild Max’s Wild Chili”); and Lonny Morrisseau and Valentine Perrault (“VIP Chili”).
Organizer Samantha Manty was very pleased with the cook-off.
“It was the first chili cook-off that I’ve been to, and it was a great experience,” she enthused.
“I haven’t been around Fort Frances for about five years so I never really had the chance to go to one, but I think it turned out really well.
“We had a good turnout and a lot of positive feedback, and everyone seemed to enjoy themselves,” added Manty.
“I was really happy about the way the event turned out.”
Manty estimated about 200 people attended the local Legion, noting all 150 “People’s Choice” ballots were handed out.
“It was really happy to see that people dressed up with the theme of the event,” she remarked.
“I think it made it a little something special.
“It was nice to see people had so much spirit and really got into the event,” added Manty, noting it was good to see Acklands-Grainger win because it was that business’ first time participating in the chili cook-off.
Meanwhile, the ever-popular cake roulette, run by the Robert Moore School Council, was another success last Thursday, with a lot of cupcakes and baked goodies donated to be won.
The roulette raised about $435 for the school’s breakfast program.
Manty said the event also was well-supported by local businesses, including Canada Safeway, Fort Frances General Supply, From the Grind Up, Acklands-Grainger, and Plaza Lanes.
As well, Manty noted the food drive aspect of the event went well, seeing more donations than last year.
“I’m happy with that,” she said. “Hopefully, next year we can get even more.
“That would be something I would keep trying for—to push the food drive—because it’s a time of year when we need to start giving back.”
A draw was held for all those who brought along non-perishable food items.
Helen Brow won the draw for the $25 Chamber gift certificate, which was donated by Robin Payeur.
Manty also thanked all of the volunteers who helped set up and run the cook-off, as well as the nine teams that participated.
